One of BCI's problems this season has been getting all the players on the lineup card at the same time.

"The reality is, I think we've played one game with our full roster because of injuries and work schedules and things of that nature," said Lovett.

"We're still in pre-season mode and we're halfway through the season."

Still, going into Thursday's game against Paris District High School, the Mustangs have gone 3-2 in league play and are 9-3 overall, with a win at the Stratford Northwestern tournament.

"We expected to be right around where we are," he said. "Ultimately, we would have liked to be 4-1 or something like that."

Lovett said he expects the Mustangs to be in the upper tier, competing with North Park Collegiate and St. John's College. The Mustangs fell short in games against both this season.

Lovett acknowledged that North Park is the favourite and one of the best teams in the province.

But he said he has confidence in his players, who need to play to their strengths.

"Our defence can be our strength," Lovett said. "I'm trying to get them to realize that our offence comes from our defence.

"When we let the other team dictate how the pace of play is going and we just simply play mistake free defence, things don't go well.

"When we take it to them, we can be a very dangerous team."

Lovett said his team needs to run and get the ball to the open floor. The Mustangs possess solid shooters and players who can take the ball to the rim.

BCI will get some time to work on those things next week as it travels to the U.S. to take part in a tournament in Bullhead City, Ariz.

"This is something I've been looking forward to for a couple of years," said Lovett, who will leave with the team on Tuesday and then return on the morning of Christmas Eve. "We've got a team that is dedicated to basketball.

"I'm hoping it can be a team cohesion thing especially since we've had a hard time getting together. I'm hoping this trip mends those familiarity issues."

If the Mustangs can find that team unity and lift their intensity level, Lovett said BCI will wind up in a good spot.

"What we're talking about all year long is getting to the final," said the coach. "Get to the final and we'll see what happens from there."